Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode

Looking back, moving forward?

Edited by: Florrie Clarke of Intrinsically Florrie.

This week's links bound across time as we go from the first incarnations of the handbag, to both the glamour and reality of the mid-20th Century and the modern phenomenon of online shopping. And when, in all this, will women be happy with their bodies? Debenhams may now be using unretouched images alongside the photoshopped, but the Daily Mail and the UK's new equalities minister have decreed a new, and for a lot of us unattainable, body shape for us to aim for.

Links à la Mode: July 29th

• Amanda Lee: How to Do More With the Clothes You Have [Instead of Buying More]


• An Early-Life Crisis from Academia to Art: My 26th design project on my quest to teach myself to sew and reach 52 in a year! Also includes my own sleeve sewing tutorial and this week's project stats :


• Beyond Fabric: A thought on online shopping - is it worth building your wardrobe online?


• Blah Blah Becky: LOVING iconic British brand Whistles' AW10/FW10 lookbook


• Brooklyn Posh: starting to love thyself : the health/weight debate


• Beautifully Invisible: 10 curvy women - past and present - who are the epitome of sexy.


• Dramatis Personae: Ch-Cha-Chain- Coveting & Craving Chain Jewelry


• Fashion Limbo: 90s nostalgia after a party on a boat. I go through some memorable teenage-hood highlights


• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Fair Compensation Manifesto


• Intrinsically Florrie: Looking to the French pâtisserie Ladurée for design inspiration.


• Make the World a Prettier Place: Are women tired of distressed jeans and messy buns? It is time to leave this trend behind and dress up - even for everyday life!


• Malvestida: The Headress day... a day that's all about sharing creativity!


• Mariel's Castle: Experimenting with the newest nail trend


• Oranges and Apple: On glamorising vintage life


• Retro Chick: Friday Frock Love: Poppy Valentine


• Scene On the Street: NYC: Mod Scientist - Scene On the Street


• The Coveted: American Living $250 Gift Card Giveaway


• The Demoiselles: UK department store shuns retouching...why can't we live in the UK?


• The Embellished Life: Do you have a hankering for handbags? Enlighten yourself with the heroic History of Handbags on The Embellished Life!


• The Fashion Police: Why size should never be a fashion statement


• What 2 Wear Where: Mad Men Mania: effortlessly polished Betty Draper

And The Winner Is....

Whoo hooo! It's time to announce the winners of my Foster Grant sunglasses give away! To enter one had to choose which pair of Foster Grants they wanted. Entries were divided into two lists, one for each pair. Using Random.org I had a number randomly generated for each list.

Drum Roll please.....

The winner of the Reinvent pair is...

SaraGardens!!!!

The winner of the Guy pair is.....

Sanna S. !!!!!

Congratuations to the two winners and thank you to all that have entered! There will be more give-aways in the future....so stay tuned!

SaraGardens, I know how to contact you, so I will be in touch!

Sanna S. please email me your contact info to femmefatalevintage at gmail dot com. Thank you!

Mid-Week Inspiration: Like a Virgin

Some inspiration for Bridal Accessories for my Etsy shop, The Sparkling Cocktail, with an 80's twist.

I want those boots!

Model-Tiiu Kuik

Photographer- Michelle Ferrara

Featured in Vogue Novias F/W 2010

Source- fashiongonerogue.com

Reminder! The Foster Grant Give Away Ends Tomorrow Night!

Who's that behind those Foster Grants? It could be you!

If you haven't already entered in my Foster Grant give away, what are you waiting for?
Go to the original post to enter, this contest ends tomorrow night!

Retro Looks In The Modern World: Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

As much as the modern fashion world looks forward it also continually looks back in time. Here we explore Retro Looks in the Modern World.

The Fall 2010 ad campaign for Louis Vuitton features Christy Turlington, Natalia Vodianove, and Karen Elson in pretty Classic Era style frocks with gloves and gorgeous handbags. I love this ad campaign!

Photography by Steven Meisel.

I also now want to wear a pretty curled pony tail!

images from fashiongonerogue.com

Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants? It Could Be You!

Just a reminder! If you haven't entered my Foster Grant Sunglasses Give-Away you better get to it!! Go to the original post to enter. The give away ends Wednesday July 28th at Midnight (EST).

Mid-Week Inspiration: 1950's Beach

My Vintage Vanity: 1940's Dress

*A peek into my permanent vintage collection!*

One of my favorite dresses! This one is a 1940's floral printed rayon dress in teal, pink, white and black. Hard to see here but it has a gathered peplum at the waist. I bought it in Chicago at Very Best Vintage, a shop my wallet is grateful to be many many miles away! I am wearing the dress with my vintage smokey grey straw purse I bought in St. Louis, nude hose with black back seam, and Faryl Robin shoes I scored at DSW.

Retro Looks In The Modern World: Gaultier Couture 2010

As much as the modern fashion world looks forward it also continually looks back in time. Here we explore Retro Looks in the Modern World.

Gaultier's Couture runway shown in Paris a few weeks ago was heavily influenced by the 1940's. Strong shoulders, femme fatales, and sculptured hats ruled.

Dita!

Dita again in the finale showstopper!

Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode

Couture Today: An Exploration

Edited by: Ann Colville Somma of Holier than Now

Couture: clothes painstakingly custom-made from the finest materials; alternatively, something Juicy - or even Filthy. It's hard not to chafe at the degradation of the term, which is technically reserved for members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture (houses that create made-to-order pieces for private clients, amongst other criteria). Looking at creations recently sent down the runways, it's sad to think artisanal techniques like hand beading may not survive in a world of rhinestoned terry sweatsuits.

But in fact, the handmade movement is ever gaining steam with the support of many bloggers. "Couture" may be associated with impossibly high prices, but in your own hands it's an affordable way to obtain one-of-a-kind style. This week, review Couture Week round ups from The Well-Appointed Catwalk, La Chanelfile and more - then become your own private client, with tips from Fashion Butter, The Fashion Planner, and Twitch Vintage.

Links à la Mode: July 15th

• Blackdog Finds: A complete thrifted outfit for under $10


• Consumerism Killed My Soul: Color (and lack thereof) on the Valentino runway


• Dedicated Follower of Fashion: The future of fashion is here


• Dramatis Personae: TsuruBride's amazing handmade animal clutches


• Eco-Fashionista: Re-fabbing a vintage Mugler find


• Fashion Butter: The cheater's way to sew a new dress


• grechen blogs: fashion blogger bashing is everyone's favorite sport lately...why do fashion bloggers make such easy targets?


• Handmade and Fabulous: A handmade label's take on summer trends


• Holier than Now: Fans of Couture Week (wink)


• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Why Fashion Bloggers Should Invest in Problogger


• La Chanelfile: Astrology and Haute Couture


• MoMo Mod: Modest Beauty: Meet Miriam


• Stylish Distractions: 6 great reads for aspiring fashionistas


• Stylish Thought: Great tips for channeling your masculine side


• Sugar and Spice: Building a capsule wardrobe


• Sweet Fancy Treat: Wardrobe inspiration from Florence + The Machine


• The Fashion Planner: Rhinestone bracelet D.I.Y.


• The Very Subjective: The Couture Thing: fashion critics vs. couture


• The Well-Appointed Catwalk: Highlights from Couture Week


• Twitch Vintage: Can you turn a bridesmaid dress into something chic?

Fashionable History: Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants? Give Away!!

If you read my earlier Fashionable History post on sunglasses you already know that Foster Grant is one of the oldest brands of mass produced sunglasses in America. Still in business they are still making very affordable shades for under $30!! Not only are they affordable but they are also extremely sturdy, fashionable, and well made. I should know, Foster Grant sent me a few pairs to test drive and I am amazed at how fabulous they actually are. Good news for you, in this post I am going to be giving away a pair to TWO winners! But first some more fashionable history...

Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants? That is the question the company has been asking for decades now. The answer has included several starlets, actors, directors, and models. I thought it would be fun to share some of those ads. Raquel Welch, who is still involved with promoting Foster Grant is pictured above. Check out her tattoo!
The glamorous Carroll Baker.

Elke Sommer. Umm how cute are those white ones?

And Cindy Crawford.

Now it's your turn to be the one that's behind THESE Foster Grants! If you are feeling creative you can also enter in the Foster Grant Facebook video contest showing yourself behind your Foster Grants with your prize from this give-away! The prize from that contest is a big trip for two! So break out that video camera!

Here's how to enter my give away:
*For one entry leave a comment on this post stating which pair of Foster Grants you would like. Either the classic aviator "Guy" or the classic "Reinvent".

All entries will be divided into two groups and one winner will be chosen from each. The winner will receive the glasses they chose, so don't put "either one" or " I like them both" as your entry. You must decide!

*For a second entry tweet a link to this post on Twitter and put a link to your tweet in a new post below. Your second entry will be put in the original sunglass group you chose. That gives you two chances to win the pair you want! It would also be sweet if you followed me on twitter @BobbinBombshell and Foster Grant @FosterGrant1929.

"Guy"

"Reinvent"

*This contest will close on Wednesday July 28th at midnight NYC time. The winner will be announced on Thursday July 29th. Be sure to check back in to see if you won so you can contact me with your mailing info!

Good Luck!

Mid-Week Inspiration: Wendy Bevan's Butterflies

Photogprapher Wendy Bevan does it again! I love the dreamy quality of her photos and I love the tulle dresses and the butterflies.

On My Wishlist: Chie Mahara

I lust after Chie Mahara's shoes season after season. I don't own a pair yet. This has got to change!

Retro Looks In The Modern World: Aime Le Cinema

As much as the modern fashion world looks forward it also continually looks back in time. Here we explore Retro Looks in the Modern World.

Lily Cole looks amazing in this editorial called " Aime Le Cinema" featured in Elle France (May 2010). Photographer Kayt Jones has exquisitely captured a true film noir cinematic quality here and the clothes and hair styles are to die for!

image via fashiongonerogue.com

Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode

Questions, questions

Edited by: Jennine Jacob, IFB

They say the only dumb question is one you don't ask, and these days the questions keep coming and the answers? Well, we try. In the fashion world... Lady Gaga, is she really doing it for the girls? What does working with Terry Richardson do for/against her cred? Should we question the ethnic headdress trend? Has fashion blogging become overloaded and narcissistic? What's the real price of our clothing? And more importantly what should we wear to a movie date!?! Oh man, the questions they keep coming. Luckily this week's roundup has some answers.

Links à la Mode: July 8

• 365 Fashion Rehab: Nautical Stripe Shorts 4 Ways


• Denimaniac: Paris Fashion Week SS11 Denim Looks


• Fashion Butter: Beach wear, street wear


• Fashion Cents: What to wear to a movie date.


• Fashionista Lab: Traveling light: Plan ahead


• Fete a Fete: Nars Summer 2010 Colors


• Hello Beauty! Urban Decay Summer of Love set offers a palette that's all about gorgeous sparkle and a vibrant pop of purple


• Holier than Now: The New Hipster Headdress - fun fashion or not-funny appropriation?


• I'm the It Girl: Master Control: Q&A with Design + Conquer


• I like socks: The price that we are willing and able to pay for our clothing.


• Oranges and Apples: My fiancee made me a dress! Lots of pictures and some thoughts on gender divisions in the crafting world.


• Rocker Repro: Lady GaGa: Yeah, but what is she doing for her female fans?


• Rah! Rah! Style Revolt: Information Overload: 2010 & The Blogging Revolution


• Retro Chick: Love yourself, Love others, Love Vintage Challenge


• Return to Sender: Losing some weight! (but not from where you'd think)


• Shrimp Salad Circus: Greta Pollman handmade feature and giveaway


• The Coveted: American Living Preview


• The Fish Tank: Gothic, grunge Jewelry


• The Thrify Poet: Is fashion blogging narcissistic?


• Wicked Whimsy: Fashion & Accessibility

My Projects: Party Veils

Here are some new headband veils that I've recently made. They will be listed in my Etsy shop, The Sparkling Cocktail, very soon!!